Nanette


Mississippi born Nanette Workman was more than just a session singer with a good set of uh…pipes and good looks (she’s the strong female voice you hear in the background on the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman”). Her story is one that I find fascinating: in 1964 Nanette moved to New York City and was appearing in off Broadway musicals. She was discovered by 19 year old Québec singing star Tony Roman (later to become a Kim Fowley-esque type producer in the province), who pleaded with her to come back to Montreal with him and promised her a singing career and stardom. In love, she followed him and soon enough, became Quebec’s little sweetheart. She learned French and recorded a few albums under Roman’s supervision, albums consisting mostly of English covers (including a pretty kick ass cover of “Paint it Black”). Her strong American accent and broken French brought that much more charm to the songs and she became an instant star. In the late 60′s she left Roman and Québec and moved to England, where she appeared on tv shows like “Not Only But Also” with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, and became a session singer. She later met Johnny Hallyday, fell in love and toured with him. Hallyday made no secret of their affair and would famously introduce her on stage as “the love of my life”. According to Hallyday’s autobiography, their steamy affair directly led to his divorce with Sylvie Vartan. Nanette moved back to Québec in the mid 70′s and had a string of disco hits, including a French version of “Lady Marmelade”. She is still a loved public personality and continues to be a guest on Québec talk shows from time to time.

I had no idea that while working as a session singer in England in 1968, she recorded a whole album of her own songs. Here’s the album’s single release (I couldn’t take the price tag off without ripping off the cover, so I opted to leave it on!):

Nanette – Wastin’ Your Time<br />



6 Responses to “Nanette”

  1. martin  on May 19th, 2007

    I understand she sang on Country Honk (on Let It Bleed),maybe not on Honky Tonk Women.

  2. link  on May 22nd, 2007

    Very much like another Mississippeean Bobby Gentry….both can sing, both extremely good looking. Thanks for this song.

  3. Mimi la twisteuse  on May 24th, 2007

    She sings on Honky Tonk Woman (her voice is very recognisable) as well as Country Honk.

  4. de2nys  on May 31st, 2007

    I like the price sticker on the cover… Very chixxx!
    ciao mimi

  5. Anonymous  on June 18th, 2007

    that song was great! thanks so much.

  6. italianbeat  on December 28th, 2007

    Thanks!!


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